The stage was set for a historic night in the ARCA Menards Series. With 212 laps to honor ARCA’s 112th visit to Salem Speedway and a national audience tuning in on FOX, the spotlight was on Salem, and it was Max Reaves who was first to the checkered flag.
The win is Reaves’ fourth of the ARCA Menards season. It is also his first victory in which he led every lap. The win marks a redemption story for Reaves, who led 111 laps at this track last year before a crash ended his race and resulted in a DNF.
Speaking to Fox in victory lane, Reaves remarked, “Last year we were really good but it didn’t turn out great.” He went on to state, “I’m just happy to win here after last year.”
Although Reaves led every lap, the field made him earn the victory. The race featured 10 cautions, including an overtime restart after Carson Brown and Isabella Robusto made contact. Reaves remained unflappable through it all, driving back to the lead and holding off the field.
Jake Bollman settled for his fifth second place finish of the ARCA Menards Season. Will Kimmel finished behind Bollman in third, after having to come down pit road early in the race to get his brakes repaired. Landon S. Huffman came home in fourth while Isabella Robusto was fifth.
Tristan McKee, who had the fastest car in practice, was forced to settle for sixth in the race. Thomas Annunziata, Gavan Boschele, Austin Vaughn, and Carson Brown rounded out the top-10 finishers.
The first half of the race was slowed by four cautions, but each restart produced the same result. Reaves consistently capitalized on the outside line, pulling away from the field and building at least a two-second lead.
A close call for Reaves came on Lap 55 when Quinn Davis and Takuma Koga were involved in an incident just as Reaves was approaching to lap them. Reaves avoided the two cars and maintained his lead before the red flag was displayed.
Reaves faced another challenge with 58 laps to go on the restart following the final scheduled race break. Tristan McKee fired off on the inside and ran side-by-side with Reaves, with the two making contact as McKee mounted a serious challenge. Reaves, however, was able to pull away once again and retain the lead.
A critical moment in the points race happened with 16 laps remaining, a caution came out after lapped car Ben Peterson made contact with Annunziata, who was running second behind points leader Bollman. The incident was costly for Annunziata and could prove pivotal in the championship, as Bollman gained valuable ground from his rival’s misfortune.
ARCA Results from Salem
If you’re looking for more ARCA action, you won’t have to wait long. The series returns this Thursday, Sept. 17 with a trip to the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway. The green flag for their race in Thunder Valley is set for 5:30 p.m. ET with live coverage provided by FOX Sports 1.
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